In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections of 2024, political parties are pulling out all the stops, with their star campaigners holding massive rallies aimed at securing victory for their candidates. Amidst the fervor of these campaigns, issues such as reservation, employment, corruption, and governance are often brought to the forefront, with leaders making impassioned speeches to sway voters.
However, amidst the flurry of rhetoric and accusations, some leaders resort to spreading misinformation and falsehoods. Videos of such misleading statements are frequently circulated on social media platforms, with accounts like ‘The Pamphlet’ flagging them as fake news and disinformation.
One such instance involves Rahul Gandhi, a prominent leader of the Congress party, whose recent speech at an election rally in Bhind, Madhya Pradesh, has come under scrutiny. ‘The Pamphlet’ has shared video clips alleging misrepresentations made by Gandhi against leaders of the ruling BJP, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Here are the claims made by ‘The Pamphlet’ alongside the facts:
1. Claim: Amit Shah stated that he would abolish the Constitution if he wins.Fact: There is no evidence to suggest that Union Home Minister Amit Shah made such a statement. In contrast, Prime Minister Modi has explicitly stated that the Constitution cannot be abolished, even by figures as significant as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
झूठ नंबर 1: ‘अमित शाह ने कहा है कि जीतने पर संविधान खत्म कर देंगे’
तथ्य: केंद्रीय गृह मंत्री अमित शाह ने ऐसा कभी नहीं कहा, बल्कि प्रधानमंत्री मोदी का संविधान के मुद्दे पर स्पष्ट कहना है कि 👇 pic.twitter.com/MOHqCaRwZt
— The Pamphlet (@Pamphlet_in) May 1, 2024
2. Claim: Only wealthy individuals attended the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha program, with no representation from poor laborers.
Fact: Contrary to this claim, there were laborers present at the event, with the Prime Minister himself acknowledging their presence by showering flowers upon them.
झूठ नंबर 2: ‘राम मंदिर प्राण प्रतिष्ठा कार्यक्रम में सिर्फ अमीर लोग थे लेकिन गरीब मजदूर नहीं थे’
तथ्य: मजदूर भी थे और प्रधानमंत्री ने उन पर पुष्पवर्षा भी की थी pic.twitter.com/22LlN1P6ZU
— The Pamphlet (@Pamphlet_in) May 1, 2024
3. Claim: The President, being a tribal, was not invited to the Pran Pratistha program.
Fact: The President was indeed invited, as confirmed by a statement issued by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
झूठ नंबर 3: ‘राष्ट्रपति आदिवासी हैं, इसलिए उन्हें प्राण प्रतिष्ठा कार्यक्रम में नहीं बुलाया गया’
तथ्य: राष्ट्रपति को न्योता दिया गया था…. श्रीराम जन्मभूमि तीर्थ क्षेत्र ट्रस्ट ने बयान जारी किया है pic.twitter.com/jJRx8NeXeV
— The Pamphlet (@Pamphlet_in) May 1, 2024
4. Claim: The central government has exclusively awarded contracts to the Adani Group.
Fact: The growth of the Adani Group was notable even during the UPA regime, and they have made substantial investments in states governed by the Congress party.
झूठ नंबर 4: केंद्र सरकार ने हर क्षेत्र में अडानी को काम दिया है
तथ्य: -UPA शासन काल में अडानी समूह का ग्रोथ रेट शानदार रहा
और कांग्रेस शासित प्रदेशों में भी अडानी समूह का भारी निवेश रहा है pic.twitter.com/a0PKVsTsOE— The Pamphlet (@Pamphlet_in) May 1, 2024
5. Claim: Prime Minister Modi labeled farmers as terrorists.
Fact: There is no record of Prime Minister Modi making such a statement. On the contrary, he has highlighted the government’s efforts to support farmers, including the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, which has provided significant financial aid directly to farmers.
झूठ नंबर 5: प्रधानमंत्री मोदी ने किसानों को आतंकवादी कहा
तथ्य: प्रधानमंत्री मोदी ने किसानों को कभी आतंकवादी नहीं कहा बल्कि देश के छोटे किसानों के लिए क्या किया, वो आप स्वयं इस वीडियो में सुन सकते हैं 👇 pic.twitter.com/4ivjHqoeE0
— The Pamphlet (@Pamphlet_in) May 1, 2024
6. Claim: Unemployment in India is at a 45-year high.
Fact: Various data sources, including EPFO, PLFS, RBI, National Career Services, and government job-centric schemes, indicate growth in employment and a decline in the unemployment rate over recent years.
झूठ नंबर 6: भारत में बेरोजगारी 45 वर्ष के अधिकतम स्तर पर है
तथ्य: पिछले कुछ वर्षों में नौकरियों में वृद्धि और बेरोजगारी दर में गिरावट (EPFO, PLFS, RBI, नेशनल करियर सर्विसेज और केंद्र सरकार की विभिन्न नौकरी-केंद्रित योजनाओं के डेटा) pic.twitter.com/WLOKWc02NV
— The Pamphlet (@Pamphlet_in) May 1, 2024
In conclusion, while political campaigns may be marked by passionate speeches and fervent appeals, it is crucial to separate fact from fiction. Misinformation can distort public discourse and undermine the integrity of the electoral process. Therefore, it is imperative for voters to critically evaluate the information presented to them and make informed decisions based on facts.